There are a lot of ways of doing Maths outside the classroom. However the main problem is getting out of the classroom. There are no prizes for having a class full of kids running round outside – other than a group of kids highly motivated!

This outdoor Maths game kit is excellent for providing 30 minute slots for outside games.

I believe even high functioning kids forget their number bonds. Using this simple way of getting students to comeback to counting and segmenting ensures that their mathematical brains develop correctly.

Thermometer work can be a really interesting way of discovering the school grounds and rooms. Taking measurements through out the school can lead to the development of heat maps. Other questions which it can raise are:

Where is the most heat being used?

Where would be the warmest place outside for a small animal?

Can we measure heat loss by a thermometer?

Which rooms are above the average? Get the kids to issue energy warnings?

Measuring temperature in and out of the sun?

Does a box made of white or black paper raise the temperature more?

Whilst this does overlap with the energy part of the Science curriculum it does make for an engaging explorations which allows the student use maths to discover things about their world.

I have used these little strips for measuring temperature after exercise of after being outside. You can get the students to hold their breath and for short periods to see if they an raise the temperature. Once again results can be processed in the normal way.

Another alternative is to create a heat map of the students in the room. This leads onto a discussion of heat maps in general.